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The Conversation
The Conversation
Michael Blake, Professor of Philosophy, Public Policy and Governance, University of Washington

Paying for hostages' release involves moral risks − a political philosopher explains

Joe Biden Iran Peter Singer United States The United States
Freed U.S. nationals released in a prisoner swap deal between the U.S. and Iran disembark from an airplane at Fort Belvoir, Va., on Sept. 19, 2023. Jonathan Ernst/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Five Americans held as hostages by Iran have been returned to the United States following a political deal in which President Joe Biden agreed to unfreeze US$6 billion in Iranian funds held in South Korean banks in exchange for the prisoners.

Hostage-taking has been frequently used by both states and insurgent groups as a means to extract funds or concessions from more powerful states. Iran took 52 American diplomats and citizens hostage in 1979 and held them for over a year.

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